Should We Keep Silent?
There was a terrible famine in Israel, especially in the territory of Samaria. The king didn’t know what to do, so he started to blame the man of God–Elisha the prophet. He reached the point where he was going to kill him. But just as this terrible thing was impending, the man of God gave a wonderful message of hope to the king: In just one day, the city would have food to eat. 2 Kings 7:1.
That evening, four lepers–men who were despised by everyone and rejected because of their incurable, contagious disease–were sitting by the city gates. They were facing death anyway, so they decided to go into the camp of the Syrians, hoping that somehow they might remain alive, despite their illness. The world had no purpose for them, but the Lord decided to use them in His plan of salvation to show that His work isn’t accomplished by the power of mighty men but by the work of the Holy Spirit through even simple, outcast people such as these.
Verse 6 reports that the fear of the Lord penetrated so deeply into the heart of the Syrian army that in their haste to escape for their lives the warriors left everything behind–horses, food, clothing, treasure, and all their belongings. The lepers found not a single Syrian in the camp. Since they were hungry, the outcasts sat down and ate and drank until they were satisfied; then they took some silver, gold, and clothing.
They found bread and food in abundance, and we can compare this with the reconciliation we have found through the death of Jesus Christ; symbolically we eat of His body and drink from the spring of life. “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up.” Satisfying the need of our souls, He revealed to us God’s will. “For He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him.” John 3:14, 34. We are covered by the righteousness of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and have nothing to be ashamed of. “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” Romans 13:14. When we put on Jesus, we are protected from the coldness and darkness of this world. We also receive gold cleansed by fire, which symbolizes faith–being faithful to our Lord even in times of struggle. Revelation 3:18.
But what did the lepers do with the things they took? They hid them. Nevertheless, later they reconsidered their actions and realized that what they were doing was wrong. “This day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace.” 2 Kings 7:9. They asked themselves, Should we keep this news for ourselves? While the people of the city are starving, we have plenty for ourselves–too much, even. Will we be unpunished when morning comes if we say nothing? Should we keep silent when a great treasure has been given to us by God and people are dying in the city for lack of food? Let’s go now and take the good tidings to the king so the people can be saved and their hunger satisfied; then we will all rejoice together in this great salvation given by God.
When the lepers arrived in the middle of the night with the good news, the king was skeptical about what he heard. Similarly, the world today is full of prejudice, which can be removed by our giving them proof of our faithfulness to God. Didn’t the king and his servants see a change in the lepers? The king and people were about to die of starvation; but because of their unbelief, they refused to believe the first message of their salvation. But there were servants who had the courage to risk their lives for the salvation of others. The prejudice was put aside, and the people were fed.
But what happened to those who at first refused to believe that the Lord had provided an escape for His people? They didn’t receive it. The king’s companion died, because he didn’t believe God’s miracle. 2 Kings 7:2, 20; Matthew 12:31.
What should we do? We have been granted a great feast: Knowledge of the day of atonement, the time of probation, the depths of Christ’s salvation for souls, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the prophecies of what is ahead of us before the day of the Lord comes. Should we keep silent? The world is starving. Are we willing to give them the food of life? Let’s go today by prayer and fasting to preach His word all over the world, beginning in our own neighborhood and wherever the doors open for us. Then the Son of God will come in His glory to take us home.
“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” Isaiah 6:8.
“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:14.
–Alin Sirbu, Rumania
